Selector switch for fuel dispensing system



1967 A. F. ROMANOWSKI 3,335,247

SELECTOR SWITCH FOR FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM Original Filed Dec. 12, 19612 Sheets-Sheet 1 III I05 I05 i I07 j I I I I0! 88 .89 I '1 I 37 y l I O399 I u I I I l 93 97 7 g 1 I SI 3 INVENTOR.

ALBERT F. ROMANOWSKI BYWZWAAV ATTORNEY Aug. 8, 1967 A. F. ROMANOWSKI3,335,247

SELECTOR SWITCH FOR FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM Original Filed Dec. 12, 19612 Sheets-Sheet '4 INVENTOR. 9 ALBERT F. ROMANOWSK! |3| 7 fin? LIZ BY WfATTORNEY United States Patent 3,335,247 SELECTOR SWITCH FOR FUELDISPENSING SYSTEM Albert F. Roinanowski, Greeneville, Tenn., assignor toBowser, Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Originalapplication Dec. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 158,670, now Patent No. 3,199,727,dated Aug. 10, 1965. Divided and this application Jan. 15, 1965, Ser.No. 427,542

3 Claims. (Cl. 200153) This invention relates to a dispensing system fordistribution of fuels, and more particularly it relates to a selectorswitch for a dispensing system having a computer-indicator that can beused on several grades of fuel such as regular, super and premium. Thisapplication is a divisional application of applicants parent applicationentitled, Fuel Dispensing System, filed Dec. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 158,670,and now Patent No. 3,199,727, granted Aug. 10, 1965.

It is an object of the invention to provide a number of dispensingoutlets having a single computer-indicator and in which each outlet isseparately controlled by a selector switch.

A salient object of the invention is the provision of a selector controlswitch adapted to be set for predetermined transactions by the servicestation operator. The selector control switch may 'be set to deliver apredetermined gallonage, or, a predetermined number of dollars worth offuel without the operators attention and time being required aftersetting the predetermined amount on the selector control switch.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a selector switchadapted to support a nozzle valve in a storage position and so designedthat the nozzle can not be replaced in the storage position withoutpositioning the selector switch in the original position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an individualselector control switch for multiple grades of fuel being dispensed, andeach selector switch is centrally located so that a selection of thegrade of fuel can be dispensed without moving or positioning theautomobile.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdescription and claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawingswhich disclose by way of example the principle of the invention and thebest mode which has been contemplated of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a typical fueling installationillustrating the remote positioning of the computer-indicator;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view illustrating the selector switchsupporting a nozzle valve in the storage position;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the selector controlswitch;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed view illustrating the spring loaded ball typedetents which are associated with the selector control switch;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the code drum associated with theselector control switch;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed view showing the microswitches positioned in athree dollar ($3.00) preset position on the code drum of the selectorcontrol switch.

Referring now to FIGURE-S 1 and 2, the reference numeral 71 indicates anisland for supporting a housing 73. A number of scuff plates 75 havingan elongated opening 77 for receiving the tip of the dispensing nozzleinvolved, are mounted in the upper portion of the housing 73. Selectorcontrol switches 79, 81 and 83 are provided directly beneath theelongated openings 77 and are provided with a projection 85 adapted tosupport each of the dispensing nozzles. It should be noted that theselector control switches must be positioned so that the projections arestraight up and down in order to support the nozzle on the housing. Whenthe projection is straight up and down the selector control switch is ina normally off position. If the selector control switch is in any otherposition than in the normally off position the nozzle can not besupported by the housing. The construction of the projection is suchthat when the nozzle 29 is placed in the storage position it willactuate the lever 27 to close the nozzle valve.

The reference numeral 87 designates the master computer-indicator, and88 the repeater indicator provided with a gollon totalizer 89 and totalprice indicator 91. The reference numeral 93 designates the price pergallon of the regular brand fuel, and the reference numeral 95designates the price per gallon of the premium brand fuel, and thereference numeral 97 designates the price per gallon of the super brandfuel. The master indicator 99 is disposed on the other side of theisland and is provided with a repeater indicator 101. The selectorcontrol switches and hoses are disposed on the opposite side of thehousing 73. The supports 103 having arms 105 carry the electricalconduits to the computer-indicators, repeaters and, also, serve toposition the computer-indicators and repeaters so that they are alwaysin front of the automobile being serviced. Thus it is obvious that thedriver of the automobile can view the computer-indicator without lookingbackwards as is required by conventional gasoline dispensers. The post107 supports conventional lighting fixtures 109 and 111.

Referring to FIGURES 3-6 which illustrate the details of the selectorcontrol switch, the reference numeral 113 designates a shaft having acontrol knob 115 secured thereon by a set screw 117. The casting 119 isconnected to a support 121 by screws 123. The support 121 is connectedto the scuff plate by a bolt and nut 125.

A coded rurn 127 is mounted on the other end of the shaft 113 and issecured thereon by a pin (not shown) which is disposed in the groove129. The code drum 127 is provided with a predetermined code in the formof spaced holes or depressions 131. The cam segment 133 is disposed onone end 135 of' the drum and functions to actuate additional switches insequential order. A mounting plate 137 is spaced from the casting 119 byspacers 139 and 141 having a stud 140. A number of microswitches 143 aremounted between the casting 119 and mounting plate 137 by a pair ofstuds 145 and 147. The microswitches are provided with arms 149 havingrollers 151 adapted to be actuated by the predetermined code on the codedrum. Lead lines (not shown) connect the microswitches to the terminalposts 153, mounted on the terminal plate 155.

As illustrated in FIGURE 6, the microswitches 143 having their rollers151 disposed in the code holes 131 are closed. The microswitches havingthe rollers 151 disposed on the periphery of the code drum are open. Thetwo microswitches 195 and 193 are operated by the cam 133 to the closedposition.

The code drum 127 is provided with a pair of bores 157 and 159 forreceiving a pair of springs 161 and 163 which exert pressure againstdetent spheres or detent balls 165 and 167 to project them into spacedopenings 169 and 171 in the casting 119. The detent serves as a positivelocating means for the selector control switch.

When the selector switch is set in the manual operating position thepredetermined code on the code drum 127, FIGURE 5, sets up or providescircuits or electrical circuits so that gasoline can be manuallydispensed by an operator. When the selector switch is set in anautomatic operating condition, the selected predetermined code (foreither dollars or gallons) on the code drum 127 sets up or providescircuits or electrical circuits so that gasoline will be automaticallydispensed for the present amount (dollars or gallons); or so thatgasoline, however, dispensed, will be automatically stopped afterdelivery of the preset amount (dollars or gallons). These circuits areshown and described in the parent application referred to above. Thepredetermined code on the code drum is as follows: the cam segment 13,3operates switches 195 and 193 and the code hole 387 conditions thefueling system for manual operation. The four code. holes 389 conditionthe fueling system for a one dollar ($1.00) preset operation. The threecode holes 391 condition the fueling system for a two dollar ($2.00)preset operation. The three code holes 393 condition the fueling systemfor a three dollar ($300) preset operation. The code holes 395 conditionthe fueling system for a four dollar ($4.00) preset operation. The codeholes 397 condition the fueling system for a five dollar ($5.00) presetoperation. The code holes 399 condition the fueling system for a five(5) gallon preset operation.

It is to be understood in connection that the embodiments shown are onlyexemplary,

with this invention and that various modifications can be made inconstruction and arrangement within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A preselector control switch comprising,

nation:

(a) a base member for attachment to a support,

(b) a rotatableshaft extending through and beyond the base member tosupport a selector knob, said selector knobhaving a projection adaptedto serve as a support for a fuel nozzle and-valve device when saidprojection is in an upward position,

(c) a code drum having means forming a predetermined code thereon, saidcode drum mounted on the other end of the shaft,

(d) said base member having a number of spaced detents, said drum havinga number of spaced bores corresponding with the detents, a spring andball mounted in each bore to form a slight resistance to the turning ofthe knob,

(e) a mounting plate spaced from the base member, said mounting platehaving an opening for receiving and supporting one end of the shaft,

(f) and a bank of mic-roswitches mounted between the mounting plate andbase member, said switches spaced from the drum so that the drum willoperate the switches in accordance with the predetermined code on thedrum.

in combi- 2. In a fuel dispensing. system wherein fuel is dispensed froma housing having a nozzle and a computing device for controlling thefuel dispensed, the improvement comprising: (a) a selector controlswitch mounted on said housing, said switch having a code member thatprovides a predetermined electrical circuit in accordance with theselected position of said selector control switch; (b) means connectedto said code member andadapted to. be connected to said computing devicefor controlling said computing device as afunction of the electricalcircuit provided by said code member; (c) and a member connected to saidswitch code member and adapted to be at least partially external of saidhousing for positioning said code member as a function of the desireddispensation of fuel from said system, said external part of saidoperating member having a physical surface configuration that must be ina predetermined position so that said nozzle can be supported on saidhousing.

3. In a fuel dispensing system having a housing, a hose associated withsaid housing, a hole nozzle connected to said hose, said housing havingstructure to re ceive said nozzle, and a computer for permitting apredetermined amount of fuel to be dispensed by said system, theimprovement comprising: (a) a rotatable selector switch having aplurality of operable contacts adapted to be connected to said computer,said switch being adapted to be mounted on said housing; (b) anoperating shaft connected to said selector switch for operating selectedones of said contacts as a function of the desired having a portionadapted to extend externally of said housing; (c) and an operating knobmounted on said portion of said shaft and having a surface that permitssaid nozzle -to be supported on said amount of fuel, said shaft housingonly in response to said knob surface, and hence said shaft and selectorswitch, being in a predetermined rotated position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,462,050 7/1923 Scriven 200-l66X 2,743,843 5/ 1956 Bliss 222-26 2,748,619 6/1956 Glover et al 200-382 X2,817,722 12/1957 Johnson 200-l66 X ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Prim'aryExaminer. H. HOHAUSER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PRESELECTOR CONTROL SWITCH COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A BASEMEMBER FOR ATTACHMENT TO A SUPPORT, (B) A ROTATABLE SHAFT EXTENDINGTHROUGH SAID BEYOND THE BASE MEMBER TO SUPPORT A SELECTOR KNOB, SAIDSELECTOR KNOB HAVING A PROJECTION ADAPTED TO SERVE AS A SUPPORT FOR AFUEL NOZZLE AND VALVE DEVICE WHEN SAID PROJECTION IS IN AN UPWARDPOSITION, (C) A CODE DRUM HAVING MEANS FORMING A PREDETERMINED CODETHEREON, SAID CODE DRUM MOUNTED ON THE OTHER END OF THE SHAFT, (D) SAIDBASE MEMBER HVING A NUMBER OF SPACED DETENTS, SAID DRUM HAVING A NUMBEROF SPACED BORES CORRESPONDING WITH THE DETENTS, A SPRING AND BALLMOUNTED IN EACH BORE TO FORM A SLIGHT RESISTANCE TO THE TURNING OF THEKNOB, (E) A MOUNTING PLATE SPACED FROM THE BASE MEMBER, SAID MOUNTINGPLATE HAVING AN OPENING FOR RECEIVING AND SUPPORTING ONE END OF THESHAFT, (F) AND A BANK OF MICROSWITCHES MOUNTED BETWEEN THE MOUNTINGPLATE AND BASE MEMBER, SAID SWITCHES SPACED FROM THE DRUM SO THAT THEDRUM WILL OPERATE THE SWITCHES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PREDETERMINED CODEON THE DRUM.